Bill Reader, head of the Lightship Overfalls restoration committee stands ready to meet the challenge of the ongoing "voyage" of the historic vessel. Reader will discuss the restoration effort and the plans for this Lewes landmark at the Friday, January 19 program of The Lewes Historical Society at the Lewes Presbyterian Chuch Hall, Kings Highway and Franklin Street. His presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Lewes, Del. -- The Lightship Overfalls (LV118) has been on the canal in Lewes since 1973. Built in 1938, it is among some 16 survivors of the 179 lightships that once served U.S. shipping for more than a century and a half. The Friday, January 19 program of The Lewes Historical Society will feature a presentation by the Overfalls Museum Foundation on this Lewes seafaring landmark and progress being made for its historic "final voyage" to preservation. The program at the parish hall of Lewes Presbyterian Church on Kings Highway and Franklin Street begins at 7:30 p.m.

According to Bill Reader, head of the foundation's ship restoration committee who will lead the Friday evening presentation, the ship has a storied past: "Built in 1938 at Rice Brothers Shipyard, East Boothbay, Maine, the lightship was christened the 'Cornfields' serving near offshore shoals of the same name near Old Saybrook, Connecticut. She was renamed the 'Boston' serving in Boston harbor until being decommissioned in 1972." Reader said that when The Lewes Historical Society founder and president, Dr. James Marvil purchased the 114-foot vessel in 1971, he renamed it 'Overfalls' after the shoals once watched by the original Overfalls lightship anchored out in the Delaware Bay."

Reader said that the Overfalls Foundation has more than 400 members. He noted that a core group of about two dozen scrapers, welders, painters, polishers and handymen, known affectionately as the "Dirty Hands Gang,," has performed major restoration to bring the ship back to its original condition. Reader said his presentation will focus on the lightship service, the progress made in the ship's restoration and the plans to raise it out of the mud and tidal water onto a permanent berth on land. "This engineering feat will be most challenging," he said, referring to getting it on dry land. "But with state and federal grant moneys as well as support from members and others, we think that we can meet this next major step to preserve the history of what was once a critical navigational aid."

A "power point" presentation will feature before and after images and provide a visual tour of the ship whose restoration, according to Reader, is 90 percent complete. Reader said that Overfalls items will also be available for purchase. All proceeds go towards preserving the ship.

The program is free and the public, young and old, is cordially invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society